SL branded a ‘Pariah State’ once again
The arbitrary, unconstitutional and immoral dissolution of Parliament has led the global community to brand Sri Lanka a ‘Pariah State’ once again, ‘Lawyers for Democracy’ charged yesterday.
They also argued that the qualities of a civilized country like democracy, the basic law, sovereignty of the people and decency in governance had put into the gutter with unconstitutional and immoral dissolution of Parliament.
They pointed out that it was extremely disgraceful, acrimonious and disparaging that not only politicians but a section of the so -called professionals and even certain lawyers had given completely wrong and false interpretations to the Constitution in an attempt to justify that the illegal dissolution was legal.
Under article 70 (1) of the Constitution related to Procedure and Powers of the Executive, they say the President may by Proclamation, summon, prorogue and dissolve Parliament, but they deliberately fail to quote the connected paragraph of the same article that says:
“Provided that the President shall not dissolve Parliament until the expiration of a period of not less than four years and six months from the date appointed for its first meeting, unless Parliament requests the President to do so by a resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the whole number of Members (including those not present), voting in its favour,”.
Member of the ‘Lawyers for Democracy’ Shantha Jayawardana said the Constitution cannot be interpreted on the whims and fancies of individuals or on their political affiliations because the Constitution was very clear on the basic law. If anyone holds a different view, he or she must seek the opinion of the Supreme Court.
Attorney, Charitha Galhena said the removal of Ranil Wickremesinghe was similar to the illegal and indecent removal of former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.
“If the dissolution and the removal of Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is correct, Executive President must be above the basic law of the country and he is Supreme, and not the Constitution, which will not be accepted in any country, where democracy, rule of law and fair play holds high,” he stressed..
Convener of the ‘Lawyers for Democracy’, Attorney, Sunil Watagala said democracy and Constitution was in danger under the current leadership of the country.
“They talk much about the people’s mandate and people’s demands. What happened to the hopes of 6.2 million people who voted in January 2015 to restore democracy, rule of law, he asked. Attorneys, Upul Shantha Harshana, Wipula Kumatapperuma, and Charitha Galhena also spoke.
Democracy and Constitution was in danger under the current leadership of the country